WPL 2024: Top 5 cricketers who can win Orange Cap

The 2nd edition of the Women is set to start from February 23 and the excitement is palpable among fans for the latest edition of arguably the biggest T20 women’s league in the world. After the massive response from the 1st season, the 2nd season is expected to be even bigger and better. The 2nd season of the WPL will be a multi-city affair as it will be played in both Delhi and Bengaluru. 

This league boasts of some of the best women cricketers across the world playing for 5 different teams with the ultimate goal of lifting the coveted trophy. Many old records will be broken and new ones will be created which will keep the fans up on their seats throughout the tournament.

The pitches at the Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi and Chinnaswammy Stadium in Bengaluru are expected to be belters and with small ground dimensions, it means that the 2nd season of WPL is going to be a run-feast. Therefore, with the tournament just a few days away, let’s find out who could be the top five probable winners of the Orange Cap in 2024 WPL:

#1. Smriti Mandhana  

Although Smriti Mandhana had a poor run with the bat last season while playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore she is still among the top batters of the world let alone Indian in women’s cricket. RCB and her fans would expect Mandhana to leave the horrid memories of the last season behind and enter this edition of the WPL with a clean slate and carry on batting the way she does at the international arena.

Mandhana scored 149 runs in 8 matches of the 1st season of WPL  at an average of 18.62, whereas Mandhana’s career average in T20Is is 27.5 which shows that the last season might be an aberration and she could come all guns blazing this season like we know her.

#2. Meg Lanning

Meg Lanning has been a veteran of women’s cricket and has inspired hundreds of women cricketers with her classical batting and shrewd captaincy. She is the captain of the Delhi Capital franchise and took her team to the finals in the inaugural season of the WPL. 

She was also in sublime form with the bat last season as she scored 345 runs at an astonishing average of 49.29 and an impressive strike rate of 139.11. Meg Lanning has been a T20I veteran of Australia as she has amassed 3,405 runs in 132 matches in her career at a formidable average of 36.6. She brings immense experience and a calm head on the table which again makes her a strong contender for the Orange Cap in the 2024 edition of the WPL.

#3. Sophie Devine

Popularly known for her hard-hitting, Sophie Devine is another strong contender for the Orange Cap in WPL 2024. The 34-year-old Kiwi star batter was the beacon of hope for the RCB last season, where she smashed 266 runs in the tournament at a steady average of 33.25.

But what was the most striking part about her batting was her strike rate. She played with an attacking strike rate of 172 throughout the tournament which speaks volumes about her batting prowess. 

If she could take this performance a notch higher this year then she could be a strong contender to win the Orange Cap again this year.

#4. Beth Mooney

Australia Beth Mooney is the world’s current No.1 ranked T20I batter. Known for her ability to play long innings, Mooney is another player who will be in the race to win the Orange Cap this year. 

She is a master of her trade and will anchor the innings for the Gujarat Giants with other players playing around her that will allow her to score big runs in every game. Apart from it her sound technique and wealth of experience make her a perfect candidate to win the Orange Cap this year if she stays fit throughout the tournament.

#5. Natalie Sciver

Nat Sciver is currently among the best all-rounders in the world. In the first edition of the WPL, she set the stage on fire with her all-round abilities as she amassed 332 runs at a remarkable average of 66.40 and took 10 wickets in the tournament.

The English all-rounder played a crucial role in Mumbai lifting the trophy last year and this year too all eyes will be on her. With her experience and reliable batting credentials, she is also among the top contenders to win the Orange Cap in this year’s WPL edition.